The colleges need not know however, the more important question is this. If she needs the accommodations to succeed in school now, won’t she need them in college as well? My opinion is that you will probably not need to disclose them as they are not a part of the application process. The schools cannot discriminate because these children are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
You may want to check out the web site: Wrightslaw.com

Good luck to you and your daughter.

I’m a high school teacher, but I have several friends who are college professors, and a version of the 504 is often used in college as well. They won’t know when she applies, but once she is in it’s a good idea to talk to the office of disabilities or whoever is in charge of such things at her college.  They are still required to provide accommodations. My professor friends have even dealt with accommodations in grad school, law school and vet school!

I would encourage you to consider the 504.  My son   was in our district’s EXCEL program. But because my son could function in a regular class, we could not get testing in our school district.  He had a lot of problems with writing.  I had him tested outside the district.  With those results, an ADHD diagnosis, and some problems in school, I got together with his teachers and school counselor and we figured out what accommodations would help him.  I found it very helpful.  Some teachers didn’t know he had a 504.  It helped him get that extra help he needed.  As he grew older, he needed it less.  He is now a sophomore at the University.  He chose not to disclose he had a 504 last year and had an increasingly hard time.  He is being challenged for the first time and not really knowing how to deal with that.  This year I’ve encouraged him to seek out help when he needs it.  I’ve also encouraged him to talk with the office of disabilities. 

In our state, the 504 is not automatically disclosed when you apply to college.  You have to get all the documentation again and submit it in the format the college requires.  At that point your daughter will be 18 and the college will not allow you to see the records unless your daughter authorizes it.

In my Michigan school district, all you need is a diagnosis from the doctor on his/her letterhead with their signature stating that your child has ADHD.  My son’s letter had a total of 3 sentences. That’s it.  It was our son’s previous pediatrician that told us of the advantages of getting a 504, which we knew nothing about.  Other than the obvious daily accommodations they receive at whatever school grade level they are at, they also get more time on the ACT, SAT, and PSAT tests.  I’m sure you have to verify and ‘notify’ someone that you’re requesting that, at the time, for your child.  A 504 in my opinion is an absolute must.  My son will be entering 9th grade (high school), and would not be making the strides he is now if it weren’t for the 504, which he’s had for over 4 years.  The accommodations are modified as he matures and graduates to the next grade level, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they may be used once he enters college.  No one really needs to know about the 504, other than the teachers and counselors/support personnel involved, if that’s what you desire.  No one really knows what the ‘504’ is, so that can play a part here when dealing with friends or family.  Don’t even mention it.  If someone asks me any specifics about ‘special treatment’ for my son, I’m honest and say ‘He’s got ADHD, and this learning disability requires an extra day to turn in homework.’  This gets an educational dialogue going, and is my chance to pass along some things that people may not know about.  But I’m picky who I say things to.  If you get negative feedback or rude comments from those who want to know everything, I say he’s under the care of a professional, and the State listens to his recommendations to help him in school.  I laugh to myself, but that usually stops the conversation.  Don’t be embarassed, guilty, or otherwise shy about the situation, it is what it is.  Love, encourage, and support your child, and they will give it right back.  These are the lessons I’m teaching my son now, so that he CAN take them and use them in college.

One more thing, that pediatrician said that some colleges even WANT 504 kids to apply to their schools, because they can say they accommodate anyone.  Looks good on a college pamphlet maybe?  If a 504 is perhaps a way to get certain scholarships and/or assistance in getting into college, why not use it?  That’s what some of those programs are there for. 

I say disclose what you want, and if you don’t get what you want from there, disclose a little more, if information protection is what you’re after.  If you have no success, then maybe a certain college being applied to just doesn’t have the means to be able to help with specific line-item accommodations you’re requesting.  But ask good questions, and talk to many people.  Your current school district probably has many resources to research.  It’s asking the right questions that makes for all the ‘homework!’

Good luck!

I was afraid of the same thing-that people would treat him as a handicapped person (not that it is OK to discriminate).  Then someone pointed out to me that so many kids get help nowadays, and we are actually not making full use of the resources available if we DON’T ask for it.

Depends on the professionalism of your school district. 504s and IEPs are much more commonplace than in years past. If you have a top-notch district, a child with a 504 will get the support he/she needs to succeed at school. As a parent, it’s your job to see that the district follows through with 504 reviews and follow ups.

Depends on the professionalism of your school district. 504s and IEPs are much more commonplace than in years past. If you have a top-notch district, a child with a 504 will get the support he/she needs to succeed at school. As a parent, it’s your job to see that the district follows through with 504 reviews and follow ups.

I have experience on both sides.  My son has ADHD and participates in the GT program and makes straight A’s.  My Pediatrician suggested a 504, but for what?  He does not need any accommodations.  I am also a teacher with 15 years experience.  I would say that for me as a teacher, a 504 plan is not problematic in any way.  Especially, with ADHD because it let’s me know what the issue is.  It should not even come into play when looking at colleges.  It is not any of their business unless you ask for her to have accommodations.

Thank you all so much.  This is invaluable information.  My daughter was only diagnosed about 2-3 weeks ago.  And we now are in the process of getting a 504 plan for her.  The 504 administrator, the highly gifted counselor, and my daughters’ core class (HG) teachers attended a meeting w/ my daughter’s father & I.  I hope we can all get on the same page, and help facilitate a better high school experience for our 9th grader.  This first semester has sure been a struggle!  Thanks again.  I’m sure I’ll be writing & asking more questions soon.

AS a teacher/parent of an ADDer I would suggest getting the 504. 1.  If she doesn’t need the accomodations, great.  But if something arises, you have it in place.  My son is in 3rd now and we’ve had his 504 in place since 1st.  He’s never needed the accomodations but is covered just in case. 2.  As a teacher I always appreciated 504’s because even of the student did not use/need the accomodations, I was more aware of what was going on with that student. 3.  The more we advocate and educate the less stigma there will be.